Opticians - what do you recommend?

PaulJM

Just been told by the docs to get myself down to an opticians to get my eyes tested.
I've got eye strain which is causing slight headaches, a sore eye, etc, so the sooner the better.
I know my sight isn't too bad, I can see clearer than a lot of people, but I know it's getting fuzzier as I'm getting older.

This is a total grey area for me - never had any dealings with opticians in 37 years, and I want to get it right. I'm always wary about the big companies, and tend to stick to local shops, but maybe in this case, I really am better with a boots/spec-savers, etc.

I've had a look, and I'm just a bit concerned that the bigger companies seem to use technicians, as opposed to opticians, and part of the reason I'd be going is to check the health of my eyes.
Also though not wanting to get ripped off on the cost of specs, if needed.

What is anyone's' advise on this one?

Money_maker

I'm no expert but I suggest you avoid the supermarkets and go to a proper opticians. I spent nearly £150 on glasses from tesco that I've never worn - long story but recommend the experts.

elsien

Find a reputable optician then ask them for the prescription if you need glasses. You don't have to buy the glasses from the place you have the eye test, it's perfectly normal to shop around. You can always go back to them if you want to once you've had a look at your choices.
I tend to use a local independent optician for the eye test, then depending on price/what I'm after either get the glasses from them or go elsewhere. Usually elsewhere as the independent mainly sell designer frames and I'm not a designer type of gal. Never had a problem with that.

meece

Just ask to see an optician. They usually use a technician for the initial stuff but as far as I know for the actual eye test its always an optician.

My boyfriend complained of loss of vision last year in one eye, and I packed him off to the opticians. The optician was brilliant and referred him straight to the local hospital, and then emergency surgery. If he had not had this he would have lost the sight in that eye. I was very impressed how it worked, from opticians to op in 2 days. Sorry did not want to worry you - more to allay your fears - they are qualified professionals. I think its the selling of the glasses that there is a chance of being ripped - off, just take your prescription away, and get the glasses when you feel like it - plenty of good online sites, check on here. good luck.

PaulJM

meece wrote: »

Just ask to see an optician. They usually use a technician for the initial stuff but as far as I know for the actual eye test its always an optician.

they are qualified professionals. I think its the selling of the glasses that there is a chance of being ripped - off, just take your prescription away, and get the glasses when you feel like it - plenty of good online sites, check on here. good luck.

Yes, I thought this, thanks.
I know actual opticians are professionals, but I didn't know what the regulations are around this, so didn't want to wander into, say, Vision Express, get seen by a technician, then wish I'd had a proper optician.

Great points about not buying from where you get them tested.
Only downside is that I don't look right in sun glasses, so I'd like to try glasses with some decent advice, but like the contributor above, I'm really not into designer stuff.

mishkanorman

PaulJM wrote: »

Yes, I thought this, thanks.
I know actual opticians are professionals, but I didn't know what the regulations are around this, so didn't want to wander into, say, Vision Express, get seen by a technician, then wish I'd had a proper optician.

Great points about not buying from where you get them tested.
Only downside is that I don't look right in sun glasses, so I'd like to try glasses with some decent advice, but like the contributor above, I'm really not into designer stuff.

They will all be fully qualified opticians but with positives and negatives to each, in a multiple chain like Vision Express for example they may only be allocated 10 mins per eye test where as an independent single practice optician will allow longer for the test but may use much older equipment and have a less modern approach doing things for themselves that will have been delegated to shop floor staff elsewhere.

one thing to consider, you arent necessarily getting a 'better' eye test because you are paying a higher price for it. In an independents they have a substantial amount of customers leave to buy at the much faster multiples and so need to cover the costs in that way. where as a multiple gets a large intake of people who bring their own prescriptions in giving a bigger profit margin allowing them to subsidize the expensive testing equipment.

Hermia

You definitely need to ask in your local area as it varies so much. I go to D&A and my branch is wonderful. All the staff remember me and what my eye issues are even though I only go in once a year. They also spend absolutely ages helping me choose glasses and don't mind how often I go in for re-adjustments or new nose pads etc. But, I have heard that other branches are more rushed and don't give you the personal service.

tidus

Just to clarify one point, if you have an eye examination, anywhere in the UK, you will see a qualified Optometrist. It would be illegal otherwise. Seems a strange thing to worry about - have you ever had a dental check or seen a doctor and worried about the possibility of somebody not qualified seeing you?

If you want recommendations, I'd ask friends/family locally. I'd also recommend, if you need glasses, buying them from the same place. Check prices first if you want to shop around but splitting the exam/purchase between two places actually causes a lot of problems.

nedmundo

mishkanorman wrote: »

They will all be fully qualified opticians but with positives and negatives to each, in a multiple chain like Vision Express for example they may only be allocated 10 mins per eye test where as an independent single practice optician will allow longer for the test but may use much older equipment and have a less modern approach doing things for themselves that will have been delegated to shop floor staff elsewhere.

one thing to consider, you arent necessarily getting a 'better' eye test because you are paying a higher price for it. In an independents they have a substantial amount of customers leave to buy at the much faster multiples and so need to cover the costs in that way. where as a multiple gets a large intake of people who bring their own prescriptions in giving a bigger profit margin allowing them to subsidize the expensive testing equipment.

I think there are a few misconceptions there - Mishka.

I agree that in general, Independents will allow more time with the Optometrist, but Independents (at last all the ones I know) are at least as well equipped - if not better.

They rely on quality and service to survive and therefore will spend more on equipment than marketing.Generally, they will have more of an interest in eye conditions and will buy the kit for that, rather than flashy autorefractors and refractor heads (which make the eye exam quicker, but not necessarily more accurate).

Independents don't lose a substantial amount of dispensings to the multiples. Most patients will appreciate the extra time and knowledge from using a qualified dispensing dispensing Optician rather than a trained (dispensing assistant). All of which has to be covered in the costs.

Independents are also not necessarily slower at providing spectacles - a lot are equipped with the equipment required offer a same or next day service.

Of course, there are always going to be exceptions to the rule -there are some excellent multiples and not so good Independents - it will vary from practice to practice.

To the OP - the best thing to do is get to local recommendations. Your case sounds pretty straight forward to me, so I doubt there is much to worry about.

pmduk

I agree that asking your friends for local recommendations is the best way to go. I'm always happy to recommend my local specsavers for eyetests as the optometrist there is great, but I've had problems at a neighbouring branch. I've also had good experiences at a supermarket optometrist.

C_Mababejive

Perhaps if you post your location you might get a thumbs up? I have used my local Boots megastore for a few years as the opticians are very professional and give great service and the optom bit and sales are separate so they dont stream you from the practice room to the sales room for a fleecing. Having said that,some Boots stores are ex D and A franchises.

I did once attend once of these and the Optom was the epitome of old school professionalism. A thoroughly pleasant,decent,friendly and learned chap. He did share with me that he would soon be retiring as he had had enough of how things are "nowadays". He was probably, I'd guess,passed retirement age. As soon as i thanked him and left his office,the jackals descended and tried to fit me up with mega £££ designer goggles. I made my excuses and left.